The Brooklyn Nets’ recent win over the Memphis Grizzlies has sparked a conversation about Cam Thomas and his evolving role on the team. Under the guidance of head coach Jordy Fernandez, Thomas is beginning to show signs of growth beyond his scoring capabilities. In the 106-104 Monday night win over the Memphis Grizzlies, Thomas had a season high six assists, a mark he has reached just eight times in his three plus year career.
Coach Fernandez has also made a point to highlight “potential assists” of which he counted eight on the night for Thomas. This serves as a reminder that players that execute the right way possession over possession can be evaluated independent of result.
Thomas put teammates in excellent positions to score, and will need to value making the “right play” over individual scoring stats. This shift is crucial for the Nets as they aim to build a more versatile and dynamic team.
Head Coach Jordi Fernandez has provided candid and public feedback on all his players, and has shown consistency in his messaging and expectations. The coach’s emphasis on ball distribution over pure scoring is a testament to his vision for a more balanced offensive team, and one that will not suffer the stagnation of previous years in Brooklyn.
One game will by no means tell us the whole story of the Nets season, or the new coaching expectations. It is still incredibly early in the season, and the Nets upcoming schedule will further flesh out the rosters ability to compete and play within the system regardless of match-ups.
As a reminder, Cam Thomas has had anything but a linear start to his Nets career. His role has fluctuated, and the coaching instability in previous seasons hasn’t helped. However this season has a renewed hope for a more defined path.
Thomas’s recent game against Memphis is a case in point. Despite an inefficient shooting night, his ability to contribute through assists was crucial. This adaptability is what the Nets need from Thomas. The challenge now is consistency. Can Thomas maintain this dual-threat capability throughout the season?
The numbers tell a story of their own. Thomas’s shooting percentages have dipped recently, but this could be a byproduct of his evolving role. As he focuses more on facilitating, it’s natural for his scoring efficiency to fluctuate.
The key is finding a balance where he can be both a scorer and a play-maker. This dual capability is what separates good players from great ones. Can Thomas score 30+ points a night? Of course, and there will be night when Thomas needs to score a ton for Brooklyn to stay in games.
Being a 20 point, five rebound, seven assist player on lower-volume and higher percentages however, likely puts more wins on the board. The potential is there, and with Fernandez’s guidance, the Nets might just unlock a new dimension in Thomas’s game.
For more insights and a deeper dive into Cam Thomas’s evolving role and the Brooklyn Nets’ strategies, tune into the Locked On Nets podcast for this and much more.
